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General Information - Civil Case

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CIVIL DIVISION

The Civil Division of the Fairfax Circuit Court is located on the third floor of the Fairfax County Courthouse at 4110 Chain Bridge Road in Suite 320. The Division is open between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Telephone 703-691-7320 (press 3, then 1)

Civil Actions

In civil cases, the Circuit Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court over claims from $4,500 to $25,000 and exclusive, original jurisdiction over monetary claims exceeding $25,000. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction over other matters, including: attachments, adoptions, divorce proceedings, disputes concerning wills, trusts and estates, and controversies involving property.

Civil Case Cover Sheet

Overview
Fairfax County cover sheets are required to be submitted with all initial civil filings. There are three cover sheets available for use depending on the type of case being filed, either a domestic case, an adoption case or all other civil cases. These cover sheets should be completed in full and submitted as part of the initial pleading.

Civil Exhibits

The Circuit Court is responsible for maintaining civil exhibits that have been admitted or identified in a court proceeding. Pursuant to Virginia Code 8.01-452.1, the Court must retain these records for 60 days from the entry of the judgment in a civil case or, if the civil case is appealed or notice of appeal is pending or the case is being reheard, when the appeal or rehearing is concluded. After this 60 day period, the Court can destroy or donate any exhibits 21 days after it mails notice to the owner or his attorney by first-class mail, unless the owner or his attorney asks for the return of the exhibits.

If an owner or his attorney would like to have the exhibits back, he should send a letter to the Court requesting their return or prepare an order to have them returned. If a letter is sent, the Clerk's office will prepare the order for the return of exhibits.

Upon entry of the order, the party requesting the exhibits will be called so that he may make arrangements to pick up the exhibits.

Please note that any exhibits not admitted or identified should not be given to the Court for retention.

Trial Exhibit Procedures

An exhibit is the document or other tangible item a party seeks to have the judge accept at trial as valid evidence in the case. An exhibit does not become evidence in the case until the judge rules that it is accepted as evidence in the case.

Procedure

Non-Domestic Civil Cases - Parties must file with the Clerk of the Court a list of exhibits specifically identifying each exhibit to be introduced at trial on or before the date stated in the Scheduling Order. A copy of all exhibits not previously supplied in discovery must be delivered to opposing counsel or party on or before the date stated in the Scheduling Order.

Domestic Cases - Parties must file with the Clerk of the Court and serve the opposing counsel or party a list of exhibits specifically identifying each exhibit to be introduced at trial at least fifteen (15) days prior to the trial date. A copy of all exhibits not previously supplied in discovery must be delivered to opposing counsel or party at least fifteen (15) days prior to the trial date.

The original, labeled exhibits must be brought to court the day of trial. The Case Tracking Program does not give out exhibit labels.

Exhibit Format:

Exhibits should be on standard size paper and inserted into binders. If necessary, pictures should be taken of the large exhibits and inserted into the binders. Counsel/Pro se parties must bring to trial a sufficient number of binders with pre-marked exhibits so that one binder each can be given to the judge, opposing counsel, and placed on the witness stand.

The Exhibit List Form should be completed and inserted into the front of the binder. Please do not mark anything in the last two columns.

Mark each exhibit with appropriate labels. Record both the exhibit and case number on the labels. Please leave sufficient space for the Judge's initials and the date.

Domestic Track Information

Differentiated Case Tracking Program (DCTP)

In the Fairfax Circuit Court our goal is to afford every litigant access to the courts to resolve their dispute by trial or settlement fairly and efficiently. The principal result of the implementation of DCTP is to give the court complete control of the pace of litigation.

Interpreter Information

Many persons who come before the courts are partially or completely excluded from full participation in the proceedings due to limited English proficiency or a speech or hearing impairment. It is essential that the resulting communication barrier be removed, as far as possible, so that these persons are placed in the same position as similarly situated persons for whom there is no such barrier